Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

Anyone military who had GB??

I am a military spouse that is trying to get approved for Gastric Bypass. I am just wondering if anyone else here went through it with the military insurace and through a Military hospital??? Everything seems different.

I was in the military, and then I lived very close to an Air Force base for a long time. Many of my friends were military spouses. I know that you can see physicians outside of the base hospitals. I would try talking to some other spouses and see if they have used off base physicians, then ask how they got approval. Or call the base hospital and asked the operator who you would need to speak to in order to arrange to bee seen off base. Usually the operator will be able to give you the department.
It really depends on where you are based, state side of overseas, etc.

I have seen my family practice doctor and gotten the process started.. I live in Japan so I dont want to go a Japanese facitlity. I have my referral in and waiting to see if Tricare approves it. My doc said he would fight for me to get it through... but I was wanting to speak to people that have been through the process with the military and see how their experience was.. sorry should have been more specific when I posted.. Thanks for your reply!! I do know that my doc said if I didnt want a japanese surgeon then I would probably go to a military base in Hawaii which WAY COOl... anyway THANKS!!

Can't add much in the way of being a military wife or trying to get GB surgery through the VA. I use the VA for my primary care and some bodily damage. they are generally pretty generous once they make the decision to help with or do something. Sometimes the gears grind slow other times they fly right through.
As an example I need two replacement knees, they have done surgery 2 times on each and every treatment known and still no luck at relief. Instead of the knees I got a power wheel chair, a super nice ramp added to my home and a vehicle lift to get the chair in and out of the van. Probably close to 20,000 in stuff.
I don't want to be trapped in a wheel chair. So I brought up this surgery to get me lighter so my knees wouldn't have to bear all this weight. The doctor laughed like I was joking. So now I just went straight civilian doctors and Medicare.
Don't get me wrong, the VA is good and has saved my life a few times, and different people have different out comes.
The knees are about 50,000 apiece, so I can understand to a point their decisions to say no. I am a physical train wreck and I think they are reluctant to do it due to my over all physical condition.
They don't want to put 100,000 in the ground. That leaves it to me to get my condition upgraded, several of my co-morbitalities should be vastly improved with the loss of 100+ lbs.
God bless and Fair wind and following seas.

I have heard that the VA can be a pain in the rear when it comes to certain things. We are active duty so hopefully it shouldn't be a problem and I don't have any underlying health condtions as of right now due to my weight and I think that will be favorable when it comes to the military shelling out money for me to get surgery. My doc says I am a great candidate so I got my fingers crossed that everything goes well... GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!! I hope they get you fixed up!
Blessed Be!

i am a military spouse and got the surgery done on base, pretty easy process, free free free to us military spouses, maybe not in all locations, but feel free to message me about some of the things i went through for this!!

Did you go through any type of diet or anything before your surgery that the surgeon required??? I am just looking to get some info on what everyone went through with getting approved and what they had you do before the surgery??

My husband is retired Navy and we live near Norfolk VA. I had my surgery at the PNMC in Portsmoth VA. If you go to a milatary hospt you need a referal from your PCM. You see the surgen then are put on a wait list. (mine was 8 months it used to be 2 years) Tricare requires a 6 month documented diet such as Jenny,a dietiten and some cases your doc. Then you go through the channels Psych, NUT, and physical exams and tests all need to be up to date. My clinic required at least 2 support group meetings before surgery too. You do pay a co pay. Mine was $40. If you have to go out into the civilan world Tricare does cover you but you will have to fight them if there is a VA hospital near where you live. And your co pay will be much higher. Also remember that there is a war on and the docs are transfered without notice and your wait could be a while. I think the wait is good because you need all the education you can get. I took 4 years to decide to do this. I did not mind the wait. Most good civilian docs have you do all that stuff too. They just want you to be ready for the process. Both physicly and enotionaly. So you can succede. Tricare conciders morbid obesity a higher risk than the surgury. CAll your local tricare office and talk to them on your area's process. Concidering the 22 years deaaling with the Gov medical system this was kind of easy. I wish you the best of luck.

Well I have been through the health and wellness centers programs twice, it has you meeting with a nut and on an excerise program.. nothing works for me... thats why I have decided to go for the surgery I have been thinking and researching for 3 years and really would like to have it done.. I need to be healthier for myself and my children.. and Being overseas away from family and friends is taking its toll on me as well.. THANKS for all over your comments and relies I appreciate everyones input!!

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